Do we actually need the historic Jesus?

Recent press coverage has claimed the historic Jesus wasn't, well, historic. Both academic research and skeptical interpretation of the Scriptures have concluded the Saviour never lived. And a natural outcome of a Jesus who never lived would be that he's never coming back. It's impossible to return if you've never been in the first place!So what's our reaction if we are Christians confronted by this suggestion there was no historical figure called Jesus? Do we react in anger? Do we sorrowfully lose faith?Or can we point to present proof that Christ was, is and always will be present?My latest article in the Huffington Post offers some musings! It's called "Was Jesus for Real, and Is He Returning?"